Sony a1 vs Sony a390

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a1 and Sony a390. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.

Sony a1 were released 2021 and Sony a390 was released 2010. That is a 11 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a1 2021
Sony a390 2010

Type of camera

Sony a1 is a Mirrorless camera while Sony a390 is a DSLR camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Sony a1 has a "Sony Full Frame"-sensor while Sony a390 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a1 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Sony a390 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)

Resolution

Sony a1 has a 50 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a390 has 14 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a1 50 MP
49766400 pixels
8640 x 5760
Sony a390 14 MP
14033152 pixels
4592 x 3056

Sony a1 has a 255 % larger resolution than Sony a390. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a1 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a390. Sony a1 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 32000 while Sony a390 has 100 to 3200.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a1 100-32000
Sony a390 100-3200

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a1
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a390

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a1 can shoot up to 30 pictures per seconds and Sony a390 can shoot up to 2,5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a1 30
Sony a390 2,5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

When comparing these two cameras there is only one of them that can shoot movies and that is Sony a1. Unfortunately Sony a390 does not support recording movies and movie clips.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Sony a1 weighs 737 gr (equal to 1.62 lb) which is 34% heavier than Sony a390 and its 549 gr (or 1.21 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a1 737 gr
1.62 lb
Sony a390 549 gr
1.21 lb

Sony a1 vs Sony a390 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a1 and Sony a390, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a1
Sony a390
Name Sony a1 Sony a390
Manufacturer Sony Sony
Release Date and Price
Sony a1
Sony a390
Release Year 2021 2010
Release Date 2021-01-26 2010-06-09
MSRP 6499 USD 599 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a1
Sony a390
Camera Type Mirrorless DSLR
Sensor
Sony a1
Sony a390
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type Stacked CMOS CCD
Resolution 8640 x 5760 pixels 4592 x 3056 pixels
Megapixels 50 MP 14 MP
Image Processor Dual Bionz XR Bionz
Image
Sony a1
Sony a390
ISO Range 100 - 32000 100 - 3200
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-shift)
Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a1
Sony a390
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 759 9
Lens Mount Sony E

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a1
Sony a390
Articulated LCD Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3” 2.7”
Screen dots 1440000 230400
Touch screen Yes No
Screen type TFT LCD N/A
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.9× 0.74× (0.49× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution 9437184 N/A
Photography features
Sony a1
Sony a390
Frames per second 30 fps 2,5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No Yes
Built-in Flash Range N/A 10 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Average
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a1
Sony a390
Video recording Yes No
Video format H.264
H.265
XF-AVC
XAVC-S
XAVC-HS
N/A
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
7680 x 4320
N/A
Built-in Microphone Yes No
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Sony a1
Sony a390
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
SD/SDHC
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Sony a1
Sony a390
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-In 802.11ac (Dual Band)
No
Remote Control Yes (via Bluetooth or tethered PC) Yes (Optional)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Sony a1
Sony a390
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion NP-FH50 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 530 shots 230 shots
Width 129 mm 128 mm
Height 97 mm 97 mm
Depth 81 mm 86 mm
Weight 737 gram 549 gram